Lakes have been closed in Yoho National Park and Kootenay National Park due to suspected whirling disease/Parks Canada
Parks Canada has closed all waterbodies and shorelines in Yoho National Park and Kootenay National Park until March 31 after finding a suspected case of whirling disease.
A suspected case was discovered Sept. 20 in Yoho’s Emerald Lake. This was the first reported case of whirling diseas in British Columbia. To limit spread, Emerald Lake, Peaceful Pond, Lone Duck Pond and the Emerald River shorelines, water bodies, and tributaries were closed until further notice.
Further sampling was done on the Kicking Horse and Kootenay rivers. Preliminary test results found suspected cases of whirling disease in the Kicking Horse River, Wapta Lake, Finn Creek, Monarch Creek and the confluence of Emerald River and the Kicking Horse River.
Aquatic invasive species pose a significant threat to the health of national parks and vital aquatic ecosystems, Parks Canada said. These species disrupt and irreversibly damage aquatic ecosystems, affecting vulnerable species at risk. They can also spread downstream beyond park boundaries through interconnected river systems.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says whirling disease is an infectious disease of finfish caused by Myxobolus cerebralis. The parasite is spread through contact between finfish and a freshwater worm (Tubifex tubifex).
Whirling disease doesn’t pose a threat to human health but people can accidently spread it by moving infected live or dead finfish, infected worms, contaminated equipment or contaminated water.
Affected finfish may exhibit any of the following signs:
• Whirling swimming pattern.
• Skeletal deformities of the body or head.
• Dark or even black tails.
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